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JERSEY  CITY.   FREE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 
3er?en  arr^  Jer?ey  City 


BERGEN  1  JERSEY  CITY 


An    Historical    Souvenir   of    the    250th 
Anniversary  of  the  Founding  of  Bergen 


Prepared  for  the  Free  Public  Library  of  Jersey  City  by 
EDMUND  W.  MILLER.  Assistant  Librarian 


Published  by 

THE    FREE    PUBLIC    LIIIRARY 

JERSEY    CITY 

1910 


BERGEN  m  JERSEY  CITY 


An    Historical    Souvenir   of    the    250th 
Anniversary  of  the  Founding  of  Bergen 


Prepared  for  the  Free  Public  Library  of  Jersey  City  by 
EDMUND  W.  MILLER,  Assistant  Librarian 


Published  by 

THE    FREE    PUBLIC    LIBRARY 

JERSEY    CITY 

1910 


COPYRIGHT    1910 
By  Free  Public  Library,  Jersey  City,  N.  J, 


PRESS  OF  A.  J.   DOAN 


FREE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

JERSEY  CITY,  N.  J. 


BOARD    OF  TRUSTEES 

HON.  H.  OTTO   WITTPENN,  Mayor, 

Ex-officio. 
HENRY  SNYDER,  D.  Sc,  Supt.  of  Schools,  ' 

NELSON  J.  H.  EDGE  DAVID  R.  DALY 

BENJAMIN  L.  STOWE  DAVID  W.  LAWRENCE 

GORDON  K.  DICKINSON,  M.  D. 


OFFICERS 

BENJAMIN  L.  STOWE President 

DAVID   R.   DALY Treasurer 

ESTHER  E.  BURDICK Librarian 

EDMUND  W.  MILLER Secretary 


PREI^ACE 


The  present  monograph  is  pubHshed  by  the  Trustees  of 
the  Free  PubHc  I^ibrar>^  of  Jersey  City  as  a  contribution  to  the 
most  important  celebration  ever  held  on  New  Jersey  soil. 
The  250th  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  Bergen  which  is  to  be 
observ'ed  during  the  week  of  October  16  to  23,  1910,  commem- 
orates the  establishment  of  the  first  municipal  government, 
the  first  church  and  the  first  school  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  a  small  band  of  hardy 
pioneers  braved  the  dangers  and  hardships  of  the  wilderness 
and  planted  the  little  village  from  which  has  grown  the  present 
Jersey  City.  In  the  following  pages  an  effort  has  been  made 
to  tell  the  story  of  this  wonderful  growth  and  record  some  of 
the  many  interesting  incidents  connected  with  it.  The  facts 
have  been  gathered  from  records  and  documents  owned  by 
the  Library  and  great  care  has  been  taken  to  make  it  accurate. 
Owing  to  the  necessarily  limited  size  of  this  publication  it  has 
only  been  possible  to  give  a  brief  outline  of  the  city's  history 
and  many  important  events  had  to  be  omitted  entirely.  The 
Library,  however,  has  in  course  of  preparation  a  more  com- 
plete history  of  the  City  and  County,  in  which  these  facts  will 
be  given  in  fuller  detail.  It  is  hoped,  however,  that  the 
present  publication  will  serve  to  stimulate  interest  in  the 
history  of  our  city  and  call  the  attention  of  the  public  to  the 
fine  collection  of  historical  data  contained  in  the  Public  Li- 
brary. 


BERGEN  AND  JERSEY  CITY 


I.    Discovery  and  Early  Settlements 

Before  the  white  race  came  to  America  the  land  included  in  the 
present  County  of  Hudson  was  covered  by  dense  forests  and  dreary 
marshes  tenanted  only  by  wild  beasts  and  scattered  bands  of  savages. 

The  original  inhabitants  of  this  territory  were  a  branch  of  the 
Lenni  Lenape  nation  of  Indians.  The  Lenni  Lenape,  or  Delawares 
as  they  were  afterward  named  by  the  Europeans,  occupied  all  the 
present  New  Jersey,  which  they  called  Sheyichbi.  They  belonged  to 
the  great  Algonquin  family  of  Indian  nations  which  occupied  nearly 
all  the  country  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

The  Lenape  were  of  medium  stature,  well  built  and  strong, 
with  dark  eyes  and  coarse  black  hair,  of  which  the  men  wore  only  a 
single  tuft  or  scalp-lock.  They  dressed  in  the  skins 
The  Indians  '^^  wild  animals  and  painted  and  stained  their  bodies. 
They  lived  in  villages,  each  family  occupying  a  sin- 
gle hut  or  wigwam.  These  dwellings  were  only  temporary  struc- 
tures and  the  villages  were  continually  moved  from  place  to  place. 
They  lived  principally  by  hunting  and  fishing,  though  maize  and  prob- 
ably some  vegetables  were  cultivated  and  eaten. 

They  had  a  rude  kind  of  tribal  government  and  their  religion 
was  a  form  of  fire  or  sun  worship.  Though  hospitable  and  friendly, 
they  rarely  forgot  or  forgave  an  injury  and  were  cruel  and  relentless 
in  seeking  vengeance  on  their  foes.  They  were,  however,  much  more 
peaceable  than  most  of  the  neighboring  tribes. 

It  is  not  known  who  was  the  first  white  man  to  view  the  shores 
of  what  is  now  New  Jersey.     In  1497  and  1498  John  and  Sebastian 

Cabot  sailed  along  the  coast  of  North  America  and 
First  Discoverers  claimed  for  the  King  of  England  the  entire  country. 

Whether  the  Cabots  ever  saw  the  coast  of  New 
Jersey  is  not  known,  but  it  was  included  in  the  land  they  claimed 
and  it  was  by  virtue  of  their  discoveries  that  England  afterward 
asserted  her  title  to  all  the  North  American  continent. 

In  1524  Verrazano,  an  Italian  sailing  in  the  service  of  the  King 
of  France,  visited  the  Bay  of  New  York.     He  evidently  discovered 

and  sailed  some  distance  up  the  Hudson  River. 
Verrazano,  1 524  He  must,  therefore,  have  seen  the  shores  of  New 

Jersey  and  was  probably  the  first  white  man  to 
view  the  land  upon  which  Jersey  City  now  stands.     The  following 


year  Estevan  Gomez,  employed  in  the  service  of  Charles  V.  of 
Spain,  sailed  up  New  York  Bay.  It  is  probable  that  other  explorers 
also  visited  these  waters,  but  the  honor  of  their  discovery  has  been 
justly  given  to  Henry  Hudson.  It  was  Hudson  who  first  made  these 
regions  known  to  the  world,  and  his  explorations  lead  directly  to 
the  colonization  of  New  Netherland. 

On  April  4,  1609,  Hudson  sailed  from  Amsterdam  under  a  com- 
mission from  the  Dutch  East  India  Company  to  explore  ' '  a  passage 
to  China."  The  little  vessel  he  commanded  was  a  shallow,  almost 
flat-bottomed,  sail  boat  of  about  sixty  tons  burden.  After  vain 
eiforts  to  find  the  northwest  passage  he  reached  Greenland,  and  sail- 
ing south  along  the  coast,  arrived  at  Chesapeake  Bay  on  August  28. 

He  then  turned  back,  and  on  September  2  anchored 
Hudson,  J  609      off  the   Highlands  of  Navesink.     After  spending 

several  days  in  exploring  the  lower  bay  and  the 
adjacent  islands,  Hudson  sailed  up  through  the  Narrows,  and  on 
September  12  the  "Half  Moon"  anchored  near  Communipaw.  Struck 
with  the  beauty  of  the  country,  the  mate,  Robert  Juet,  makes  the 
following  note  in  his  journal  of  the  voyage  :  "This  is  as  pleasant  a 
land  as  one  may  tread  upon."  This  entry  is  of  interest  as  being  the 
first  recorded  reference  to  the  land  included  in  the  present  Jersey 
City.  The  next  day  they  continued  up  the  river,  reaching  Albany  on 
September  19.  After  stopping  there  for  several  days  they  started 
on  their  return  voyage,  and  on  October  4,  1609,  Hudson  passed  Sandy 
Hook  and  put  out  to  sea. 

The  glowing  description  which  Hudson  gave  of  the  newly  dis- 
covered country  on  his  return  to  Europe  aroused  great  interest 
among  the  merchants  of  Holland.  A  vessel  was  at  once  fitted  out 
from  Amsterdam  to  trade  with  the  Indians.  This  venture  was  suc- 
cessful and  was  soon  followed  by  others.  In  1613  a  trading  post  con- 
sisting of  four  small  houses  was  established  on  the  lower  end  of 
Manhattan  Island. 

In  1621  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  was  chartered.  This 
charter  gave  the  company  exclusive  jurisdiction  over  the  newly  dis- 
covered country  for  a  term  of  twenty-one  years, 
The  DutchWest  with  power  to  make  contracts,  build  forts,  admin- 
India  Company  ister  justice  and  appoint  governors.  In  1623  the 
new  country  was  made  a  province  under  the  name 
New  Netherland.  In  the  same  year  another  expedition  was  sent  out 
with  thirty  families  to  start  a  permanent  settlement. 

Shortly  after  this  it  was  decided  to  establish  the  headquarters 
of  the  colony  on  Manhattan  Island.  In  1626  Peter  Minuit,  who  had 
been  appointed  Director  of  New  Netherlands,  purchased  the  island  of 
Manhattan  from  the  Indians  for  the  sum  of  $24.00. 

Notwithstanding    the    success    of    these    early    ventures    the 

8 


BEP°GEN 

OUT  GARDEN  PLOTS. 
T.tFicy)80Ci,KoFT„c 

ni6^ioner0 


BERGEN  AND  BUYTEN  TUYN 

iroduced  from  the  original  map  of  1764,   by  Mr.  John   NN'   Heck.     I'sed  here  through  the 
courtesy  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Hudson  County. 

No  copy  of  the  original  map  of  Bergen,  as  laid  out  by  Jacques  Cortelyou.  exists.  The  original  of  the  map 
here  shown  was  made  in  1764,  and  without  doubt,  correctly  shows  the  town  plot,  .-as  originally  laid 
out.   the  shape  of  the  lots  and  the  general  features  of  the  ''Out  Garden  Plots." 


province  did  not  develop  as  was  anticipated.  Little  had  been  done 
toward  improving  the  settlements.  The  only  inhabitants  were  a  few 
employees  of  the  company  connected  with  the  trading  posts  and 
forts.  None  of  the  land  was  cultivated  except  the  little  that  was 
necessary  to  supply  the  wants  of  those  who  were  attached  to  the 
forts. 

In  1629  the  officers  of  the  company  devised  plans  to  improve 
the  conditions  of  the  colony  and  offered  special  "freedoms  and  exemp- 
tions" to  those  who  would  plant  settlements  in  New  Netherland. 
Any  private  individual  who  wished  to  settle  in  the  new  country  was 
offered  absolute  ownership  of  as  much  land  as  they 
The^PatfOons^  could  properly  improve.  Any  member  of  the  com- 
pany who  should  within  four  years  establish  a  col- 
ony of  fifty  adult  persons  was  to  be  acknowledged  as  a  "patroon"  or 
feudal  chief  of  the  territory  thus  colonized.  Each  of  these  colonies 
might  extend  sixteen  miles  along  one  side  of  the  river,  or  eight  miles 
on  each  side,  and  might  extend  back  to  a  practically  unlimited  dis- 
tance. Each  patroon  was  to  have  full  title  to  the  land,  provided  he 
satisfied  the  claims  of  the  Indians  by  purchase. 

The  history  of  New  Jersey  may  be  said  to  have  begun  in  1630, 
when  Michael  Pauw,  a  burgomaster  of  Amsterdam,  bought  from  the 
Indians  the  greater  part  of  the  territory  now  included  in  Hudson 
County.     This  purchase  was  made  through  the  Director  and  Council 

of  New  Netherland.  The  compensation  given  the 
PatJw's  Indians  is  not  named,  but  is  described  as  a  "  quan- 

Purchase,  J630    tity  of  merchandise."     There  are  two  deeds,  the 

first  dated  July  12,  1630,  and  the  second,  covering  a 
much  larger  territory,  dated  November  22,  of  the  same  year.  These 
deeds  seem  to  have  included  most  of  the  land  lying  along  the  Hudson 
River  from  Communipaw  to  Weehawken.  In  the  deed  of  November 
22  the  territory  is  described  as  "Ahasimus  and  Aressick.  extending 
along  the  river  Mauritius  and  the  Island  of  the  Manahatas  on  the 
east  side,  and  the  Island  Hoboken  Hackingh  on  the  north  side,  sur- 
rounded by  swamps,  which  are  sufficiently  distinct  boundaries." 

Ahasimus  was  the  name  given  to  that  part  of  Jersey  City 
which  lay  east  of  the  hill  and  was  separated  from  Paulus  Hook  by  a 
salt  marsh,  and  was  afterwards  the  town  of  Van  Vorst.  Aressick 
was  an  Indian  name,  meaning  burying-ground,  and  was  applied  to  the 
circular  piece  of  upland  lying  south  of  York  street  and  east  of  War- 
ren street,  afterward  known  as  Paulus  Hook.  Hoboken  was  an 
Indian  word,  said  to  signify  tobacco-pipe.  With  the  suffix  Hackingh, 
which  means  land,  this  would  give  the  expression  "the  land  of  the 
tobacco-pipe."  This  was  the  tract  of  land  now  occupied  by  the  city 
of  Hoboken. 

Pauw  named  the  district  he  purchased,  Pavonia,  after  the  Latin 
form  of  his  own  name. 


It  is  not  known  when  the  first  settlement  was  made  in  Hud- 
F'    ■»•  ^  f  tT  f  ^^^  County.     Some  writers  have  asserted  that  the 

Tj   J  Dutch  landed  on  the  Jersey  shore  and  made  a  set- 

m  Hudson  tlement   as   early  as   1610.      A   number   of   other 

V-.ounty  writers  state  that  settlements  were  made  in  1618, 

but  there  is  no  evidence  to  uphold  these  assertions. 

According  to  the  terms  of  Pauw's  contract  with  the  Company 
he  was  to  plant  a  colony  of  at  least  fifty  persons  within  four  years, 
one  fourth  of  which  number  was  to  be  brought  over  within  the  first 
year  after  his  purchase.  It  is  known  that  Pauw  did  not  comply 
with  these  conditions,  but  it  is  probable  that  some  sort  of  settlement 
was  made  before  1633.  All  that  is  known  with  certainty,  however, 
is  that  in  1633  an  officer  of  the  Company  named  Michael  Paulusen,  or 
Poulaz,  was  living  at  Aressick  and  was  probably  engaged  in  trade 
with  the  Indians.  He  was,  without  doubt,  the  first  white  resident  of 
Jersey  City.  Apparently  he  did  not  stay  here  very  long,  but  the 
point  of  land  where  he  lived  was  named  after  him :  Paulus  Hook. 
Hook,  or  Hoeck,  as  it  was  originally  spelt,  is  the  Dutch  for  cape 
or  point  of  land. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1633  two  houses  were  built  by  order  of  the 
Company,  one  at  Communipaw,  afterwards  owned  by  Jan  Evertse 
Bout,  and  the  other  at  Ahasimus,  near  what  is  now  the  corner  of 
Fourth  and  Henderson  street,  and  afterward  occupied  by  Cornells 
Van  Vorst.  These  were  probably  the  first  regular  buildings  in  Hud- 
son County. 

Paulusen  was  succeeded  by  Jan  Evertse  Bout,  who  was 
appointed  by  Pauw  as  his  representative.  He  arrived  in  New  Neth- 
erland  June  17,  1634,  and  established  his  headquarters  at  Communi- 
paw, or  Gemoenepa,  as  it  was  called  by  the  Indians.  Bout  was  prob- 
ably the  first  white  resident  at  Communipaw.  In  June,  1636,  Bout 
was  succeeded  by  Cornells  Van  Vorst,  who  made  his  residence  at 
Ahasimus. 

In  the  meantime  Pauw's  ownership  had  caused  much  dissatisfac- 
tion and  jealousy  among  the  other  members  of  the  Company.  After 
a  long  dispute  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his  claim  to  Pavonia,  and 
in  return  the  Company  paid  him  26,000  guilders,  or  about  $10,400.00. 
The  exact  date  of  this  settlement  is  not  known,  but  it  must  have 
been  prior  to  July,  1638,  for  under  that  date  a  lease  of  a  farm  in 
Pavonia  is  recorded  in  the  name  of  the  Company. 

In  making  the  settlement  with  Pauw  the  Company  announced 
that  it  would  "reserve  the  property  unto  itself,"  and  in  accordance 
with  this  notice  Ahasimus  was  held  by  the  Company  and  became 
known  as  the  West  India  Company's  Farm,  and  afterwards  as  the 
Duke's  Farm.  The  rest  of  the  territory,  however,  was  soon  disposed 
of  without  regard  to  the  reservation.  In  1638  Abraham  Isaacsen 
Planck  bought  the  tract  of  land  known  as  Paulus  Hook  for  the  sum 
of  250  guilders. 

10 


The  first  white  occupant  of  Hoboken  was  Hendrick  Comelissen 
Van  Vorst,  who  obtained  a  lease  of  the  place  in  1639.  In  the  lease 
the  land  is  spoken  of  as  having  been  "heretofore  occupied  by  him," 

but  as  Van  Vorst  was  unmarried  it  was  probable 
First  Settlement  that  he  lived  with  his  father  at  Ahasimus.  He 
of  Hoboken         soon  afterward  returned  to  Holland,  where  he  died. 

In  1640  Governor  Kieft  leased  the  land  at  Hoboken 
to  Aert  Teunissen  Van  Putten,  and  the  Governor  agreed  to  build  a 
small  house  on  the  place.  This  was  without  doubt  the  first  house  in 
Hoboken.  Van  Putten  cleared  the  land  and  soon  had  a  flourishing 
farm.  He  also  erected  a  brew-house,  the  first  brewery  in  Hudson 
County. 

Early  in  1638  William  Kieft  arrived  at  Manhattan  as  Director 
General  of  New  Netherland.  The  afltairs  of  the  province  were  in  a 
very  bad  state  and  he  did  much  to  improve  its  condition.  Kieft,  how- 
ever, did  not  know  how  to  deal  with  the  natives,  and  it  was  princi- 
pally his  want  of  judgment  which  caused  the  long  and  bloody  Indian 
wars.  In  1641  one  of  the  colonists  was  murdered  by  the  Indians. 
Kieft  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  murderer,  but  the  Indians 
refused.  He  then  wished  to  attack  them,  but  the  majority  of  the 
settlers  advised  against  such  a  step  at  that  time. 

In  February,  1643,  a  party  of  Indians  numbering  about  one 
thousand,  fled  from  the  Mohawks,  who  had  made  war  upon  them,  and 
came  to  the  Dutch  for  protection.     While  they  were  encamped  near 

what  is  now  the  corner  of  Pine  street  and  Johnston 
First  Indian  avenue,  a  party  of   Dutch   soldiers   under   orders 

War,  1643  from  Kieft,  crossed  the  river  from  Manhattan,  and 

falling  on  the  unsuspecting  savages,  massacred  a 
large  number  of  them.  The  Indians  at  once  made  war  on  the  Dutch 
and  destroyed  every  house  in  Pavonia.  The  settlers  blamed  Kieft 
for  their  misfortunes  and  he  made  every  effort  to  bring  the  war  to  a 
close.  In  April,  1643,  a  treaty  was  made  with  some  of  the  tribes, 
but  it  was  soon  broken,  and  in  a  few  months  the  war  was  raging  as 
fiercely  as  ever,  and  continued  until  1645.  On  the  30th  of  August  of 
that  year  a  treaty  of  peace  was  made  and  the  first  Indian  war  was 
ended.  The  settlers  returned  to  Pavonia,  rebuilt  their  houses  and 
resumed  their  former  occupations. 

Settlements  were  soon  made  in  other  parts  of  the  future  Hud- 
son County.  In  1646  Jacob  Jacobsen  Roy  received  a  grant  of  land  at 
Constable  Hook,  where  the  works  of  the  Standard  Oil  Company  are 
now  located.  Roy  was  the  first  gunner  of  the  New  Amsterdam  forts, 
and  this  was  the  origin  of  the  name  Constable  Hook  or  Gunner's 
Point,  the  Dutch  word  for  gunner  being  "konstapel. " 

In  1647  Claas  Carstensen  was  granted  a  strip  of  land  extending 
from  New  York  Bay  to  Newark  Bay,  which  included  a  large  part  of 
what  was  afterward  known  as  Greenville.     This  section  was  called 

11 


by  the  Indians  "Minkakwa,"  meaning  the  "place  of  good  crossing," 
probably  because  it  was  the  most  convenient  pass  between  the 
two  bays. 

At  "Awiehaken,"  as  the  Indians  called  the  present  Wee- 
hawken,  Maryn  Adriaensen  in  1647  was  given  a  tract  of  farm  land. 
He  was  the  first  settler  at  Weehawken,  which  still  preserves  its 
Indian  name,  probably  meaning  "the  land  of  the  end,"  so  called 
because  the  Palisades  end  at  this  spot. 

In  1654  a  number  of  families  were  granted  tracts  of  land 
within  the  limits  of  the  present  city  of  Bayonne.  In  the  deeds  they 
are  described  as  situated  between  Communipaw  and  the  Kill  Van  KuU. 

For  ten  years  the  Indians  faithfully  observed  the  treaty  made 
in  1645.  Peter  Stuyvesant  had  succeeded  Kieft  as  Director  General 
in  July,  1646,  and  his  conciliatory  treatment  of  the  Indians  did  much 
to  preserve  peace.  Unfortunately  in  1655  an  Indian  girl  was  shot 
while  stealing  some  peaches  from  a  farmer  in  Man- 
Second  Indian  hattan.  War  at  once  broke  out,  and  on  the  night 
War  t655  of  September  15th  a  party  of  Indians  attacked  New 
Amsterdam.  They  were  soon  repulsed,  but  they 
immediately  crossed  the  river,  and  falling  on  the  settlements  at  Pa- 
vonia  destroyed  every  house  and  farm.  One  hundred  of  the  settlers 
were  killed,  one  hundred  and  fifty  taken  prisoners  and  more  than 
three  hundred  lost  their  homes.  All  those  who  could  escape  took  refuge 
in  New  Amsterdam.  The  savages  having  spent  their  fury  soon  found 
that  their  prisoners  were  an  encumbrance  and  made  proposals  for 
ransoming  them.  After  considerable  negotiations  the  captives  were 
returned  and  peace  finally  established. 

Wishing  to  avoid  any  trouble  with  the  Indians  regarding  the 
ownership  of  the  land  at  Pavonia  Governor  Stuyvesant  decided  to  re- 
purchase it.  On  January  30,  1658,  a  new  deed 
Hudson  Cottnty  was  made  by  which  the  Indians  transferred  to 
Reoufchased  1658  ^^^  Dutch  all  that  part  of  the  present  Hudson 
County  which  li'es  east  of  the  Hackensack  River 
and  Newark  Bay.  The  compensation  given  the  Indians  consisted  of 
"eighty  fathoms  of  wampum,  twenty  fathoms  of  cloth,  twelve  kettles, 
six  guns,  two  blankets,  one  double  kettle,  one  half  barrel  of  strong 
beer." 

IL    Bergen 

The  settlers  who  had  been  driven  from  their  homes  wished  to 
return  as  soon  as  the  war  was  over,  but  on  January  18,  1656,  the 
Council  issued  an  order  commanding  them  to  concentrate  in  villages 
for  better  protection  against  the  savages.  In  1658  some  of 
them  obtained  permission  to  go  back  to  their  farms  on  this  con- 
dition. They  returned,  but  for  nearly  two  years  they  made  no  effort 
to  form  a  village  or  make  any  provision  against  the  attacks  of  the 

12 


a 


Indians.  This  called  forth  another  edict  ordering  all  isolated  farmers 
to  move  to  the  nearest  village  or  to  form  a  fortified  village  at  some 
favorably  situated  spot. 

On  March  1,  1660,  Tielman  Van  Vleck  and  some  others  asked 
permission  "to  settle  on  the  maize  land  behind  Gemoenepaen. " 
These  requests  were  refused,  but  on  the  16th  of  August  several  in- 
habitants, whose  names  have  not  been  preserved,  asked  for  permission 
to  cultivate  the  land  "behind  Communipaw  and  to  make  there  a 
village  or  concentration."  This  petition  was  at  once  granted  on  con- 
dition that  the  village  must  be  formed  on  a  spot  that  could  be  easily 
defended  ;  and  while  the  lots  were  to  be  given  free,  each  settler  was 
obliged  to  build  his  house  within  six  weeks  after  he  had  drawn  his 
lot ;  and  from  each  house  there  must  be  furnished  at  least  one  person 
able  to  bear  arms. 

The  exact  date  of  the  founding  of  Bergen  is  not  known,  but 
from  the  few  documents  which  have  come  dovsTi  to  us  the  time  can 
be  fixed  quite  closely,  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  site  was  selected, 

the  village  surveyed,  laid  out  and  given  a  name. 
The  Founding'  between  the  16th  of  August,  the  date  of  the  above 
of  Berp-cn  petition   and   some  time  in  November,  1660.     In  a 

letter  written  by  Governor  Stuyvesant  dated 
October  6th,  1660,  he  calls  attention  to  several  villages  needing 
preachers  and  among  them  mentions  "a  newly  planted  village  of 
about  thirty  families  across  the  North  River. "  It  is  evident  from 
this  that  the  town  had  been  formed  but  not  yet  named. 

The  earliest  document  in  which  the  name  appears  is  a  survey 
of  a  lot  made  in  November,  1660,  the  day  of  the  month  not  being  given. 
In  this  document  the  lot  is  described  as  being  "near  to  the  village 
of  Bergen  in  the  new  maize  land."  The  "maize  land"  alluded  to 
was  a  small  clearing  probably  made  by  the  Indians  for  the  cultivation 
of  maize.  It  was  located  near  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Montgomery 
street  and  Bergen  avenue. 

The  origin  of  the  name  Bergen  has  been  a  matter  of  much  dis- 
pute. Some  historians  have  claimed  that  it  was  called  after  the  city 
of  Norway  of  the  same  name;  others  that  it  was  named  after  the  lit- 
tle town  of  Bergen-Op-Zoom  in  Holland.  The  explanation  which  is 
now  generally  accepted  by  the  best  authorities  is  that  the  name  was 
derived  from  the  Dutch  word  "berg,"  meaning  mountain  or  hill,  in 
allusion  to  the  high  ground  on  which  the  village  was  built. 

The  first  settlers  appear  to  have  been  from  the  Netherlands, 
with  perhaps  a  few  Danes,  Swedes  and  Norwegians. 

The  village  was  laid  out  in  the  form  of  a  square,  each  side  800 
feet  long,  with  two  streets,  now  known  as  Academy  street  and  Ber- 
gen avenue,  crossing  each  other  at  right  angles  in  the  centre.  These 
streets  cut  the  town  into   four  quarters  and  each  quarter  was  divided 

13 


into  eight  building  lots.  A  street  ran  along  each  of  the  four  exterior 
sides  of  the  plot.  The  boundaries  of  the  town,  giv- 
DesCfiption  of  ^^S  the  streets  their  present  names,  were  Newkirk 
g  street  on  the  north,    Tuers   avenue  on   the    east, 

Vroom  street  on  the  south,  and  Van  Reypen  street 
on  the  west.  Around  the  outer  sides  of  the  streets  which  surrounded 
the  village,  palisades,  probably  built  of  logs  and  about  six  or  seven 
feet  high,  were  erected  as  a  protection  from  the  Indians.  On  each 
side  of  the  town  where  the  cross  streets  ended,  gates  were  placed, 
through  which  roads  led  into  the  woods  and  fields  beyond. 

In  the  centre  of  the  village,  where  the  streets  intersected,  an 
open  space  about  160  by  225  feet  was  left  as  a  public  square.  This 
open  space  is  the  present  Bergen  Square. 

The  buildings  first  erected  were  probably  built  of  logs.  The 
land  within  the  town  was  laid  out  in  lots  by  Jacques  Cortelyou,  the 
official  surveyor  of  New  Netherlands.  The  land  immediately  sur- 
rounding the  town  was  laid  out  in  farms  and  was 
'^Bwytcn  Tuyn^  known  as  the  "Buy ten  Tuyn"  or  outside  gardens. 
This  land  was  owned  and  cultivated  by  the  settlers 
who  had  their  homes  inside  the  village  because  of  the  danger  from 
Indians.  During  the  day  the  settlers  worked  on  the  farms,  but  at 
nightfall  they  retired  within  the  walls  of  the  town  bringing  with  them 
their  cattle,  which  they  tethered  in  the  public  square. 

In  February,  1662,  a  well  was  dug  in  the  centre  of  the  square 
so  that  the  cattle  could  be  watered  without  taking  them  outside  the 
gates.  Troughs  were  placed  around  it  for  the  cattle  and  a  long  sweep 
was  used  for  raising  the  water.  This  well  was  in  use  until  some  time 
in  the  19th  century,  when  it  was  filled  up  and  a  liberty  pole  placed  on 
the  spot.  In  the  latter  part  of  1870  this  pole  was  taken  down,  the 
square  was  paved,  and  all  traces  of  the  well  were  destroyed. 

The  beauty  of  its  situation  and  the  many  advantages  of  the  new 
settlement  caused  it  to  grow  so  rapidly  that  by  May,  1661,  every  lot 
within  the  palisades  was  occupied.  The  village  soon  became  so  im- 
portant that  it  was  given  a  local  government.  On 
First  Local  Septembers,  1661,  a  court  was  installed  consisting  of 

Government  ^  "Schout"  or  Sheriff,  whose  functions  were  some- 
what like  those  of  a  bailiff  or  country  sheriff;  and 
three  "Schepens"  or  magistrates,  somewhat  like  justices  or  aldermen. 
This  was  the  first  court  and  the  first  municipal  government  estabhshed 
within  the  limits  of  the  present  state  of  New  Jersey.  Previous  to 
this  the  Court  of  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  New  Amsterdam 
had  exercised  legal  jurisdiction  on  this  side  of  the  river.  But  thence- 
forth legal  questions  were  decided  by  the  local  court,  subject  to  the 
right  of  appeal  to  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Nether- 
land. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  village  were  allowed  to  choose  their  own 
magistrates.    Tielman   Van  Vleck   was  the  first  Schout.    The  first 

14 


Schepens  appointed  were  Harman  Smeeman,  Casper  Steinmets  and 
Michiel  Jansen,  who  was  the  ancestor  and  founder  of  the  Vreeland 
family  of  Hudson  County. 

Almost  as  soon  as  Bergen  was  founded,  provision  was  made  for 
the  religious  and  educational  needs  of  the  people.     A  lot  fronting  on 

the  square  was  set  apart  to  be  used  as  a  site  for 
First  School  ^  school-house.     Engelbert   Steenhuysen  was    the 

first  schoolmaster,  and  was  also  the  "Voorleezer" 
or  clerk,  who  in  the  absence  of  a  minister  conducted  the  religious 
services  and  performed  most  of  the  functions  of  a  regular  clergyman. 
He  probably  began  his  duties  very  soon  after  the  founding  of  the 
village.  His  license  is  dated  October  6,  1662.  A  school-house  was 
not  erected  immediately  and  it  is  probable  that  school  was  at  first  held 
in  the  house  of  the  schoolmaster. 

When  and  where  the  first  school-house  was  erected  is  not  known, 
but  it  was  probably  built  about  1664.  According  to  tradition,  which 
has  been  accepted  by  some  of  the  best  authorities,  the  first  school- 
house  was  located  on  the  high  ground  just  outside  the  palisade,  near 
what  is  now  the  corner  of  Tuers  avenue  and  Vroom  street.  This 
building  was  also  used  for  religious  purposes  until  the  erection  of  the 
octagonal  church  in  1680. 

Many  authorities,  however,  believe  that  a  school  building  was 
erected  at  an  early  date  on  the  plot  of  land  facing  Bergen  Square, 
which  had  been  set  aside  for  that  purpose  when  the  village  was  first 
laid  out,  and  which  is  now  occupied  by  Public  School  No.  11.  This  is 
Very  probable,  for  it  seems  unlikely  that  this  lot  would  have  been  left 
idle  until  1708  when  the  second  school  was  built.  As  the  school-house 
was  the  first  in  New  Jersey,  and  the  first  public  building  within  the 
limits  of  the  present  Jersey  City,  it  would  be  of  great  interest  if  we 
knew  its  exact  location  and  something  of  its  appearance.  But  un- 
fortunately few  records  regarding  it  have  come  down  to  us.  Most 
of  the  historians  believe  it  was  built  of  logs,  though  even  this  has 
been  questioned  by  some.  All  that  is  known  with  certainty  is  that 
there  was  a  school-building,  for  in  the  old  church  records  are  found 
a  number  of  items  of  expense  for  repairs  and  work  done  on  "the 
school-house." 

The  second  school  building  was  erected  on  the  site  now  occu- 
pied by  Public  School  No.  11.     It  was  begun  in  1708,  and  was  probably 

completed  about  1710.  According  to  the  old  records 
Second  School  the  total  cost  was  1193  guilders  and  10  stuivers,  or 
and  Colombia  $477.40.  This  building  was  probably  in  use  until 
Academv  ^^^^  when  the   Columbia  Academy  was  erected  on 

the  same  site.  This  was  a  large  stone  building, 
two  stories  high  surmounted  by  a  cupola.  For  many  years  the  Co- 
lumbia Academy  had  a  high  reputation  andmanj'  of  the  city's  prom- 
inent men  were  educated  within  its  walls. 

15 


In  1857  the  Columbia  Academy  was  torn  down  to  make  way  for 
the  school-house  known  as  "Columbia  District  School  No.  1,  Town  of 
Bergen"  and  afterwards  as  Public  School  No.  11, 
Public  School  Jersey  City.  The  corner  stone  of  this  building  was 
p^o.  1 1  l^i^i  J^^y  28,  1858.     This  structure  was  in  turn  torn 

down  in  19U3  and  the  present  handsome  building 
erected  in  its  place. 

The  first  church,  now  known  as  the  Bergen  Reformed  Church, 
was  organized  almost  as  soon  as  the  village  was  founded.  In  1662  the 
sum  of  417  guilders  ($166.80)  was  subscribed  by  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  for  the  support  of  a  minister,  and  a  petition  was  made  to 
the  Governor  General  and  Council  of  Netherland  for  a  pastor.  Until 
1680  the  religious  services  were  held  in  the  school-house  erected  about 
1664  near  Tuers  avenue  and  Vroom  street. 

In  1680  the  first  building  exclusively  for  church  purposes  was 
erected  near  the  comer  of  Bergen  avenue  and  Vroom  street.     It  was 
an  octagonal  stone  building  with  the  roof  sloping  to  a  point  and  sur- 
mounted by  a  weather-vane.     The   windows  were 
The  First  placed  high  above  the  ground.     In  1683  a  bell  was 

Church  placed  in  the  roof.     When  ringing  the  bell  the  sex- 

ton stood  in  the  centre  of  the  building.  The  pews 
were  placed  around  the  wall  and  were  occupied  by  the  men,  the  rest 
of  the  floor  being  used  by  the  women  who  sat  on  chairs.  The  minis- 
ter preached  from  a  pulpit  placed  high  above  the  congregation.  In 
front,  and  just  below  the  pulpit  was  a  small  pew  with  a  book  rest. 
This  was  occupied  by  the  Voorleezer  who  conducted  the  services  when 
the  minister  was  absent  and  led  the  singing  at  the  regular  services. 
The  contributions  were  taken  up  in  little  black  velvet  bags  attached 
to  long  poles  which  were  passed  around  by  the  deacons.  At  the  bot- 
tom of  each  bag  was  a  small  bell  to  arouse  the  congregation  at  col- 
lection time.  This  custom  was  followed  for  many  years.  The  ser- 
mons and  the  church  records  were  in  the  Dutch  language  until  the  be- 
ginning of  the  19th  century. 

Until  1750  Bergen  was  without  a  regular  local  pastor,  the  ser- 
vices being  either  conducted  by  the  Voorleezer  or  by  ministers  from 
New  York  or  other  places.  These  visiting  preachers  were  paid  twen- 
ty-five to  seventy-two  guilders  ($10.00  to  $28.80)  for  their  services  in 
addition  to  their  expenses  and  board.  In  1750  the  congregation  decided 
to  engage  a  stated  pastor,  and  obtained  a  supply  in  the  person  of  Pe- 
trus  De  Wint,  who  served  for  nearly  two  years.  The  first  permanent 
minister  was  William  Jackson  who  was  called  in  1753,  but  was  not  in- 
stalled until  1757,  having  been  sent  to  Holland  in  the  meantime  to 
complete  his  studies. 

In  1773  a  new  and  larger  building  was  erected  on  the  spot  where 
the  octagonal  church  stood.  This  building  was  of  stone  and  was 
45  feet  wide  and  60  feet  long.    It  was  in  use  until  1841,  when  it  was 

16 


THE     OCTAGONAL     CHURCH 

(.Trom  an  Old    Print.* 


^■*>.!ir*s^ 


COLUMHIAX   AC.\1)I-;MV 
(Vroiu  an  Old   I'ritit.) 


torn  down  to  make  way  for  the  present  church,  the  corner-stone  of 
which  was  laid  August  26,  1841.  The  building  was  completed  the  fol- 
lowing year,  and  was  dedicated  July  14,  1842. 

Shortly  after  the  laying  out  of  the  town  of  Bergen  had  been 
commenced,  steps  were  taken  to  establish  a  village  at  Communipaw. 

A  settlement  had  been  made  at  that  spot  as  early 
Communipaw     ^^  1634,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Indian  war  in 

1655  several  flourishing  farms  were  located  near 
there,  but  they  were  destroyed  by  the  savages,  and  the  inhabitants 
who  escaped  sought  refuge  in  New  Amsterdam.  On  September  8, 
1660,  Jacques  Cortelyou  was  ordered  to  make  a  survey  of  the  land  at 
Communipaw  and  lay  it  out  into  town  lots.  The  site  of  the  new  vil- 
lage fronted  on  New  York  Bay  and  comprised  a  strip  of  land  about 
200  feet  wide,  extending  south  from  the  present  <  ommunipaw  avenue 
for  about  600  feet.  Within  this  small  space  the  village  was  built  and 
settled.  Orders  were  given  that  a  palisade  be  erected  as  a  protection 
from  the  Indians.  These  fortifications  were  begun  but  apparently 
were  never  completed. 

Although  Bergen  had  been  founded  and  settled  by  the  Dutch, 
it  did  not  long  remain  under  the  Dutch  rule.     By  virtue  of  the  dis- 
coveries made  by  the  Cabots  in  1497  and  1498,  Eng- 
Bergen  Becomes  land  claimed  ownership  of  all  of  North  America. 
an  E.ng'Iish  Col-  0"  March  12,  1664,  Charles  II,  granted  the  prov- 
ince  of  New  Netherland  to  his  brother,  the  Duke 
of  York.     Soon  after  the  Duke  sold  to  Lord  Berk- 
eley and  Sir  George  Carteret  the  tract  of  land  lying  between  the  Hud- 
son and  Delaware  Rivers,  and  this  tract  was  given  the  name  of  "New 
Jersey"  in  honor  of  Sir  George  Carteret,  who  was  born  on  the  island 
of  Jersey  in  the  English  channel. 

On  May  25,  1664,  an  expedition  sailed  from  England  to  seize 
New  Netherland  and  on  September  8,  captured  and  took  possession  of 
New  Amsterdam.  The  following  February,  Philip  Carteret,  a  brother 
of  Sir  George,  was  appointed  Governor  of  New  Jersey  and  in  the 
latter  part  of  July,  1665,  he  arrived  and  assumed  control  of  the  province. 

In  1668  Governor  Carteret  granted  a  new  charter  to  the  town 
of  Bergen.     This  charter  was  largely  a  confirmation  of  the  rights  and 
privileges  which  the  inhabitants  enjoyed  under  the  Dutch  govern- 
ment.    The  boundaries  of  the   town  are  described 
Carteret's  in  the  charter  and  included  nearly  all  the  present 

Charter,  1668  Jersey  City  and  Bayonne;  "the  whole  both  of  up- 
land and  meadows  and  waste  land  containing  ac- 
cording to  the  survey  11,520  acres  English  measure."  Among  other 
things  the  charter  empowers  the  freeholders  to  choose  their  own 
minister  and  provides  that  all  shall  contribute  towards  his  support 
and  towards  the  support  of  a  "free  school  for  the  education  of 
youth".     It  also  provides  that  in  religious  matters  there  shall  be  full 

17 


liberty  of  conscience.  Provision  is  also  made  for  the  establishment 
of  a  court  of  justice  and  the  appointment  of  magistrates. 

In  1672  war  again  broke  out  between  England  and  Holland.  On 
July  30,  1673,  the  Dutch  recaptured  New  York  and  a  few  days  later 
took  possession  of  Bergen.  This  second  occupation,  however,  was  of 
short  duration.  Peace  was  established  on  February  9,  1674,  by  the 
Treaty  of  Westminster,  and  under  this  treaty  New  Jersey  was  re- 
stored to  the  English.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year  Carteret 
resumed  the  governorship  of  New  Jersey  and  the  Dutch  rule  passed 
away  forever.  The  final  establishment  of  the  English  government 
meet  with  no  opposition.  Carteret  had  treated  the  people  with  great 
consideration  and  a  strong  and  liberal  administration  that  would  in- 
sure peace  and  prosperity  was  welcome  to  all. 

From  this  time  until  the  outbreak  of  the  American  Revolution 
the  history  of  Bergen  presents  few  incidents  worthy  of  record.  The 
settlement  grew  slowly  but  steadily.  The  inhabitants  were  mostly 
quiet  industrious  farmers  and,  while  little  material  progress  was 
made,  the  people  were  happy  and  prosperous. 

What  few  troubles  they  had  arose  over  the  "Common  lands" 
which  comprised  about  two  thirds  of  the  township.     These  lands  were 
held  in  common  and  were  used  by  the  farmers  for 
*^Common  pasture  and  forage.    To  avoid  confusion  and  dis- 

lands  "  putes  which  might  arise  from  cattle  running  to- 

gether on  these  tracts,  the  Legislature  had  passed 
a  law  in  1668  providing  for  the  branding  of  cattle  and  directing  that 
the  marks  be  recorded.  In  spite  of  these  precautions,  however,  the 
common  lands  were  a  source  of  dissension.  Some  of  the  farmers  en- 
croached upon  the  clearings  and  fenced  them  in  with  their  own  prop- 
erty.    Others  would  unnecessarily  cut  and  waste  the  timber. 

With  the  hope  of  remedying  these  difficulties  a  new  charter, 
commonly  known  as  "Queen  Anne's  charter,"  was  granted  on  Jan- 
uary 14,  1714,  which  gave  the  town  greater  powers 
^*Qween  Anne's  and  privileges.  The  abuses,  however,  continued  to 
Ch.2itte.t/*  J7J4  increase  until  on  December  7,  1763,  the  Legisla- 
ture passed  an  act  providing  for  a  survey  of  the 
lands  held  under  patents,  and  an  allotment  of  the  common  lands 
among  the  inhabitants.  Commissioners  were  appointed  and  they  sur- 
veyed and  allotted  the  land  and  prepared  two  field  books  and  maps 
showing  the  boundaries  and  titles  of  the  various  tracts.  This  work, 
which  was  completed  in  March,  1765,  was  one  of  the  most  important 
events  in  the  history  of  the  town.  It  put  an  end  to  all  disputes,  and 
these  field  books  are  recognized  as  the  final  authority  in  all  questions 
relating  to  land  titles.    • 


18 


III.     Manners  and  Customs 

We  who  are  living  in  the  20th  century  and  are  familiar  with 
the  present  Hudson  County,  with  its  half  million  inhabitants,  its 
crowded  cities  and  immense  business  interests,  find  it  hard  to  realize 
the  appearance  of  this  territory  and  the  conditions  of  the  people  dur- 
ing the  century  following  the  founding  of  Bergen.  Great  as  have 
been  the  changes  in  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people  they  are 
not  more  striking  than  the  changes  that  have  taken  place  in  the  topog- 
raphy and  physical  appearance  of  the  country. 

Until  after  the  Revolution  all  the  section  east  of  the  hill  was 
marshland,  similar  to  the  marshes  now  lying  between  Jersey  City  and 
Newark,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  sandy  hills 
Appearance  of  which  at  high  tide  were  almost  entirely  surrounded 
the  Cowntry  by  water.  The  northernmost  of  these  hills  was 
that  on  which  the  city  of  Hoboken  is  now  situated. 
This  was  occupied  as  the  summer  residence  of  the  Bayard  family 
whose  mansion  was  on  the  high  point  of  land  projecting  into  the 
Hudson  River.  Their  magnificent  farm  included  all  of  the  present 
Hoboken  and  part  of  Weehawken. 

The  upland  lying  nearest  to  Hoboken  was  Ahasimus,  afterwards 
the  township  of  Van  Vorst.  T'his  was  occupied  by  the  Van  Vorst 
family,  and  the  family  homestead  was  located  near  the  present 
Fourth  and  Henderson  streets  and  was  surrounded  by  a  prosperous 
farm. 

Lying  to  the  south  of  Ahasimus  but  nearer  to  Manhattan  was 
the  elevation  known  as  Paulus  Hook.  This  nearly  corresponded  to 
the  section  now  bounded  by  Montgomery,  Hudson,  Essex  and  Warren 
streets.  This  was  owned  by  the  Van  Vorst  family  and  consisted 
mostly  of  farm  land. 

Further  south  was  the  circular  piece  of  upland  known  as  "Jan 
de  Lacher's  Hook,"  or  Mill  Creek  Point.  Here  was  a  flourishing 
farm.  Nearby  was  Communipaw  where  was  located  a  small  village, 
and  a  number  of  prosperous  farms. 

On  the  ridge  of  high  ground  lying  west  of  these  marshes  and 
islands  was  the  town  of  Bergen.  For  a  long  tim.e  this  was  the  most 
flourishing  of  the  settlements.  Because  of  the  danger  from  the 
Indians,  when  the  settlement  at  Bergen  was  first  made,  the  dwellings 
were  all  inside  the  walls  of  the  village,  and  the  farms  just  outside. 
All  the  rest  of  the  hill  was  unbroken  woodland.  As  the  danger  from 
the  Indians  decreased,  clearings  were  made  and  farmhouses  built  in 
various  sections.  But  for  many  years  much  of  the  hill  was  covered 
by  dense  forest  and  as  late  as  1831  fox  hunts  were  held  in  the  Bergen 
woods. 

19 


Through  the  marshes  lying  east  of  the  heights  flowed  a  number 
of  streams.     The  largest  of  these  was  Mill  Creek  which  was  of  con- 
siderable  size.     This   ran   from    New   York   Bay, 
Mill  Creek  near  Johnston  avenue  and  Philip  street  in  a  north- 

erly direction,  crossing  Grand  street  near  Pacific 
avenue  and  thence  through  the  marshes  and  along  the  foot  of  the  hill 
to  Ahasimus  Cove.  This  stream  was  deep  enough  for  the  passage  of 
good  sized  sail-boats  and  was  used  by  the  farmers  to  carry  their  pro- 
duce to  the  market  in  New  York.  Landings  were  made  near  Prior's 
Mill,  which  stood  near  Railroad  avenue  and  Fremont  street,  and  at 
Newark  avenue,  where  the  West  Shore  freight  station  is  now  located. 
These  streams  have  now  entirely  disappeared  and  nearly  all  of  the 
marshes  have  been  filled  in  and  built  upon. 

Along  the  Hudson  shore  front  the  changes  made  since  the  "Old 
Bergen  days"  have  been  equally   remarkable.     Practically  all   the 

original  landmarks  have  disappeared.  From  Hobo- 
Chang^es  Alongf  ken  to  Bergen  Point  the  shore  line  has  been  ex- 
the  Shore  Front  tended  into  the  river  to  a  distance  varying  from 

six  hundred  to  six  thousand  feet.  Between  the 
Hoboken  ferry  and  Montgomery  street,  what  was  formerly  Ahasimus 
Cove,  has  been  filled  in  until  now  the  present  shore  front  is  on  an 
average  three  thousand  two  hundred  feet  beyond  the  original  line. 

Some  idea  of  the  population  of  the  early  settlements  may  be 
obtained  from  a  little  book  published  in  Edinburgh  in  1685  entitled 
"The  Model  of  the  Government  of  East  New  Jersey."    This  book 

describes  the  various  villages,  and  states  that  in 
Population  ^680  there  were  seventy  families  living  in  Bergen, 

forty  at  Communipaw,  five  or  six  at  Ahasimus,  two 
or  three  at  Hoboken  and  several  others  scattered  through  the  terri- 
tory. Some  authorities,  however,  believe  these  figures  were  much 
exaggerated.  This  publication  was  issued  to  encourage  emigration 
to  the  new  province,  and  of  course  the  description  was  made  as  invit- 
ing as  possible. 

There  is  no  doubt,  however,  that  the  colony  steadily  grew  and 
attracted  many  settlers.  The  soil  was  fertile  and  the  proximity  of 
New  York  insured  a  ready  market  for  the  products  of  the  farms. 
Most  of  these  farms  were  large  and  flourishing  and  the  owners  pros- 
perous and  well  to  do. 

The  homes  of  the  early  inhabitants  were  comfortable  and  hospit- 
able in  appearance  and  were  generally  surrounded  by  pretty  gardens. 
The  houses  were  usually  one-story  structures,  built  of  stone  or  wood, 

and  sometimes  of  both.  The  steep  roof  curved 
Homes  of  the  slightly  toward  the  lower  part  and  was  often  car- 
Early  Settlers      ^i^d  beyond  the  side  walls  to  form  a  piazza,  the 

edge  being  supported  by  pillars.  The  roof  was 
generally  pierced  by  dormer  windows.     Through  the  middle  of  the 

20 


BERGEN     1841 

Reproduced  from  tlie   "Douglass  Map"  of   ISll,  In-   Mr.  John  W.  Heck. 

Used  here  through  the  courtesy  of  the  Historical  Society 

of  Hudson  County. 


house  ran  a  wide  hall  with  rooms  opening  on  each  side.  There  was  a 
finished  attic  which  contain<7-d  a  store  room,  and  sometimes  a  few 
sleeping  apartments  and  a  spinning  and  loom  room.  One  of  these 
early  houses  is  still  standing  in  almost  its  original  form  and  gives  an 
excellent  idea  of  the  appearance  of  the  homes  of  the  first  settlers. 
This  is  the  old  Sip  homestead,  at  the  corner  of  Bergen  avenue  and 
Newkirk  street,  which  was  built  about  1664. 

Bergen  had  been  founded  and  settled  by  the  Dutch,  and  though 
after  a  few  years  it  passed  under  English  rule,  the  people  still  con- 
tinued to  follow  the  Dutch  customs  and  manners,  many  of  which 
were  preserved  until  long  after  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  Dutch 
language  was  used  in  the  schools  for  many  years  and  the  church 
records  and  church  services  were  in  that  language  until  the  beginning 
of  the  19th  century.  Dutch  was  spoken  by  many  of  the  people  until 
a  much  later  period. 

The  children  attended  the  little  school  in  the  village  of  Bergen. 
Here  they  were  taught  the  catechism,  reading,  writing  and  spelling ; 
and  arithmetic  when   sufficiently  advanced.     The  schoolmaster  was 
also  the  "  Voorleezer, "  or  minister's  assistant,  who 
Children  l^d  the  singing  in  church  and  took  the  minister's 

place  when  he  was  absent.  The  school  hours  were 
usually  from  eight  to  eleven  o'clock  In  the  morning,  and  from  one  to 
four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  school  was  maintained  for  nine 
months,  beginning  in  September  and  lasting  till  June. 

Children  were  brought  up  to  be  very  respectful  to  their  elders 
and  poHteness  and  good  behavior  were  strongly  insisted  on.  The 
girls  were  taught  domestic  duties  and  sewing  and  fancy  work  at  a 
very  early  age.  Elaborate  samplers  were  worked  by  little  girls 
only  nine  or  ten  years  old. 

The  chief  hoHday  was  New  Year's  day,  which  was  celebrated 
as  an  occasion  of  great  festivity.  This  was  the  day  for  family 
reunions  and  the  interchange  of  gifts.  Christmas  was  generally 
observed  only  by  church  services. 

For  business  transactions  wampum  or  "seawant, "  as  it  was 
called   by  the  Dutch,  was  for  a  long  time  used  in  place  of  money. 
Wampum  was  the  Indian  name  for  beads  made  from  the  clam,  peri- 
winkle or  other  shells.     Owing  to  the  difficulty  in 
Wampum  making  these  beads  they  were  highly  prized  by  the 

Indians  and  were  used  by  them,  and  consequently 
by  the  colonists,  as  a  medium  of  exchange.  These  beads  were  of  two 
kinds — black  and  white— the  black  being  worth  twice  as  much  as  the 
white.  The  value  of  wampum  varied  at  different  times  and  according 
to  its  smoothness  and  polish,  but  usually  three  black  or  six  white 
beads  equalled  one  stuiver  or  about  two  cents  of  our  money. 

The  dress  of  the  people  was  probably  not  as   extravagant  as 

21 


that  worn  by  their  rich  neighbors  in  New  York,  but  was  gayer  in 
color  and  style  than  the  Puritan  costumes  of  New  England.  The 
women  usually  wore  a  jacket  of  cloth  or  silk  and 
Dyess  ^  short  quilted   petticoat  or  skirt.     The  petticoat 

was  one  of  the  chief  articles  of  a  woman's  apparel 
and  was  made  of  various  materials  and  in  various  colors,  according 
to  the  means  and  taste  of  the  wearer.  The  wardrobe  of  a  fashionable 
lady  would  often  contain  a  dozen  or  more  of  these  garments.  High 
starched  collars  or  ruffs  were  much  worn,  and  among  the  rich  were 
very  large  and  made  of  expensive  materials.  Worsted  stockings  of 
various  colors  and  high-heeled  leather  shoes  were  usually  worn.  The 
hair  was  generally  brushed  back  from  the  forehead  and  covered  with 
a  cap  of  muslin,  calico  or  lace,  and  sometimes  with  a  silk  hood.  The 
jewelry  most  commonly  used  consisted  of  rings  and  brooches. 

The  men  wore  long-waisted  coats,  with  skirts  reaching  nearly 
to  the  ankles,  vests  with  large  flaps  and  baggy  knee  breeches.  These 
garments  were  made  of  cloth,  velvet  or  silk,  and  were  usually  of 
bright  colors,  though  black  was  also  worn.  The  coats  and  vests  were 
ornamented  with  silver  buttons  and  trimmed  with  lace.  The  breeches 
were  also  elaborately  ornamented  with  buttons.  Black  silk  stock- 
ings, low  shoes  with  big  silver  buckles  and  a  low-crowned  hat,  made 
of  beaver  or  other  fur,  completed  the  costume. 

The  children  were  dressed  like  miniature  grown  people.  Among 
the  well  to  do,  the  little  girls  wore  long  dresses,  caps  and  even  jew- 
elry like  their  mothers,  and  the  boys  were  dressed  almost  exactly 
like  their  fathers. 

The  dress  of  the  poorer  people  was  of  course  not  as  elaborate 
and  expensive  as  that  described,  but  in  general  character  was  prob- 
ably much  the  same. 

Marriages  were  often  preceded  by  formal  betrothal  cere- 
monies, and  it  was  also  customary  to  publish  the  bans  for  a  cer- 
tain number  of  Sundays  before  the  wedding  took 
Weddings  place.     The  marriage  was  performed  by  the  min- 

ister or  the  Voorleezer  in  the  church  or  meeting 
house.  After  the  ceremony  was  over  a  collection  was  taken  up  for 
the  poor,  and  the  newly  married  couple  returned  to  the  home  of  the 
bride.  Here  an  elaborate  wedding  dinner  was  served,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  dancing  and  general  merry-making.  Festivities,  consisting 
of  parties  and  excursions,  were  often  continued  for  several  days  after 
the  wedding. 

Funerals  were  elaborate  and  expensive  ceremonies.  They  were 
conducted  by  the  "Aanspreker"  or  funeral  inviter.  This  official, 
attired  in  gloomy  black  with  a  three-cornered  hat  from  which  fluttered 

a  long  streamer  of  crape,  visited  all  the  friends  of 
Funerals  ^^e  deceased,  notified  them  of  the  death,  and  of  the 

time  of  the  funeral,  and  invited  them  to  attend. 
This   invitation  was  a  matter  of  strict  etiquette  as  it  was  not  con- 

22 


sidered  good  form  to  attend  a  funeral  unbidden.  When  the  mourners 
were  all  gathered  the  Aanspreker  would  make  a  few  remarks,  offer 
a  prayer,  and  then  head  the  funeral  procession  to  the  cemetery,  where 
another  prayer  was  made  before  the  coffin  was  lowered  into  the  grave. 
Sometimes  the  dead  were  interred  on  the  farms  of  the  family, 
and  occasionally  in  the  church,  but  usually  the  burial  was  in  the  cem- 
etery. The  first  cemetery  was  near  what  is  now  the  comer  of  Vroom 
Street  and  Tuers  Avenue,  where  the  first  church  and  schoolhouse  was 
located.  This  was  used  for  over  seventy  years.  In  1738  a  second 
burial  ground  was  opened  on  the  south  west  corner  of  Vroom  street 
and  Bergen  avenue.  About  1831  another  cemetery  was  laid  out  on 
Bergen  avenue  between  Vroom  and  Mercer  streets  and  about  the 
same  time  the  Jersey  City  Cemetery  on  the  side  of  the  hill  near 
Newark  avenue  was  opened. 

Slavery  was  common  and  existed  till  long  after  the  beginning 
of  the  nineteenth  century.     In  1800  Bergen  County, 

Slavery  which  then  included  the  present  Hudson  County, 

had  two  thousand  three  hundred  slaves  out  of  a 

total  population  of  fifteen  thousand  persons. 

Communication  between  the  various  settlements  was  difficult 
and  slow.  The  roads  were  rough  and  dangerous.  The  first  settlers 
probably  used  the  old  Indian  trails.  The  first  reg- 
Early  Roads  "1^^  road  was  built  about  1660  and  ran  from  Com- 
munipaw  to  Bergen,  following  the  present  Commun- 
ipaw  avenue  to  Summit  avenue,  thence  to  Academy  street  and 
through  that  street  to  the  eastern  gate  of  the  town  of  Bergen.  In 
1679  it  was  described  as  "a  fine  broad  wagon  road."  Another  road 
ran  from  Ahasimus  to  Bergen,  past  Prior's  Mill. 

Paulus  Hook  was  connected  with  Bergen  by  what  is  now  Newark 
avenue  and  a  log  road  was  laid  over  the  marshes  at  the  foot  of  the 
hill.  In  1718  the  road  now  known  as  the  Hackensack  Turnpike  was 
opened.  A  road  between  Paulus  Hook  and  Newark  was  begun  in 
1765.  For  some  distance  this  followed  the  line  of  the  present  Newark 
Plankroad. 

In  1790  the  Legislature  provided  for  the  building  of  a  road  from 
the  Court  House  at  Newark  to  Paulus  Hook.  This  was  finished  sev- 
eral years  later  and  is  now  known  as  the  Newark  Turnpike.  There 
were  several  other  roads  of  less  importance  and  as  the  settlements 
grew  new  ones  were  opened  connecting  the  various  villages  and  towns. 

The  early  modes  of  travel  were  either  by  private  conveyance  or 

horseback.      The  first  stage  line  was  started  in  1764  and  ran  from 

Paulus  Hook   to  Philadelphia,  going  by  way  of 

Modes  of  Travel     Bergen  Point  and  Staten  Island.      The  journey 

took  three  days  and  the   vehicle   was  a  clumsy 

covered  wagon  without  springs,  which  was  named  in  all  seriousness 

23 


the  "Flying  Machine."  Other  lines  were  soon  started  and  the  time 
of  the  trip  to  Philadelphia  was  reduced  to  a  day  and  a  half. 

In  1767  a  stage  line  between  Paulus  Hook  and  Newark  was 
started.  As  travel  increased  new  lines  were  opened  between  Paulus 
Hook  and  various  places  until  just  before  the  advent  of  the  railroads 
there  were  twenty  regular  stages  leaving  daily  from  Jersey  City. 

The  first  ferry  was  established  in  1661  and  ran  from  Communi- 
paw  to  Manhattan.  The  ferry  between  Paulus  Hook  and  New  York 
was  opened  in  1764.  The  boats  used  on  these  early  ferries  were  either 
row  boats  or  small  sail  boats  called  periaugers.  These  boats  were 
slow  and  uncertain,  and  in  bad  weather  the  trip  was  often  dangerous. 
They  were,  however,  the  only  means  of  transportation  between  Jer- 
sey City  and  New  York  until  1812,  when  the  steam  ferry  boats  de- 
signed by  Fulton  were  put  in  operation. 

IV.   The  Revolution 

The  peaceful  existence  of  the  Bergen  farmers  was  rudely  inter- 
rupted by  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  great  military 
importance  of  Bergen  as  a  thoroughfare  between 
The  British  New  York  City  and  the  interior  of  New  Jersey  was 

take  Possession  recognized  almost  as  soon  as  the  war  began.  When 
of  Berg'en  it  became  known  in  the  early  part  of  1776  that  the 

British  were  planning  to  attack  New  York,  Lord 
Sterling,  who  was  in  command  of  the  American  troops  in  this  vicinity, 
immediately  prepared  to  defend  Bergen. 

Fortifications  were  erected  at  Paulus  Hook  consisting  of  earth- 
works surrounded  by  a  battery  of  cannon.  Fortifications  were  also 
constructed  at  Bergen  Neck  to  prevent  attacks  from  Staten  Island. 
These  works  were  situated  near  what  is  now  45th  street  and  Avenue 
B,  Bayonne. 

In  June,  1776,  General  Mercer  was  placed  in  command  of  New 
Jersey,  and  he  strengthened  the  defences  at  Bergen  and  Paulus  Hook 
and  increased  the  garrisons.  The  enemy,  however,  were  arriving  in 
overwhelming  numbers  and  the  impossibility  of  holding  the  fortifica- 
tions was  apparent.  On  September  15th,  the  British  captured  New 
York  City,  and  a  few  days  later  the  Americans  evacuated  Paulus  Hook, 
after  destroying  or  removing  all  the  stores  and  arms  except  a  few 
guns  which  were  unfit  for  use.  The  Americans  withdrew  to  the 
heights  of  Bergen  and  threw  up  intrenchments  along  the  brow  of  the 
hill  north  of  Academy  street,  and  on  a  line  with  what  is  now  Baldwin 
avenue.  Here  they  remained  until  Washington  began  preparations 
for  his  retreat  to  the  Delaware.  On  October  5,  1776,  Bergen  was 
abandoned  to  the  enemy.  The  British  stationed  a  large  force  of 
troops  at  Paulus  Hook  and  also  took  possession  of  the  works  at  Bergen 
Neck,  which  they  named  Fort  Delancey. 

24 


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From  the  capture  of  Paulus  Hook  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
Bergen  remained  under  the  control  of  the  British.  A  large  number 
of  the  inhabitants  were  loyalists,  or  tories  as  the  patriots  called  them, 
and  they  favored  and  assisted  the  British  as  much  as  possible.  The 
large  forces  of  the  enemy  in  New  York  City  and  the  surrounding 
country  made  it  useless  for  the  American  troops  to  attempt  to  regain 
any  of  this  territory.  But  though  the  British  were  in  full  control  they 
were  not  permitted  to  have  undisturbed  possession.  Raids  and  incur- 
sions were  frequently  made  by  small  bands  of  patriots.  Parties  of 
horsemen  would  swoop  down  on  the  farms  and  carry  off  cattle,  pro- 
visions and  supplies,  bringing  them  to  the  American  troops  who  were 
stationed  at  Hackensack. 

In  the  summer  of  1779,  Major  Henry  Lee,  often  called  "Light 
Horse  Harry,"  discovered  that  the  fort  at  Paulus  Hook  was  not  care- 
fully guarded  and  conceived  the  idea  of  surprising  and  capturing  it. 
Washington  at  first  did  not  favor  the  plan,  considering  the  risk  too 
great,  but  after  a  personal  interview  Lee  finally  obtained  his  consent. 

The  position  of  Paulus  Hook  was  naturally  of  great  strength. 
On  the  north  was  Harsimus  Cove,  on  the  east  was  the  Hudson  River 

and  on  the  south  was  Communipaw  Cove.  On  the 
Fortifications  of  west  was  a  salt  marsh,  so  low  that  at  flood  tide 
Paulus  Hook         boats  could  cross  over  it  from  cove  to  cove,  and  to 

further  protect  the  approach  from  the  land  side  a 
ditch  twenty  feet  wide  had  been  dug.  Over  this  ditch,  near  what  is 
now  the  comer  of  Newark  avenue  and  Warren  street,  was  a  draw- 
bridge with  a  barred  gate.  This  was  the  only  entrance  by  land.  In- 
side the  ditch  was  a  row  of  abattis  or  sharpened  stakes  pointing  out- 
ward. The  fortifications  had  been  greatly  strengthened  by  the  British. 
The  main  works  were  on  the  line  of  what  is  now  Sussex  street  ex- 
tending from  a  point  between  Washington  and  Warren  streets,  east- 
ward to  Greene  street.  The  barracks  were  at  the  intersection  of 
Essex  and  Warren  streets.  From  the  main  fort  a  redoubt  extended 
along  Washington  street  to  another  fort  at  Essex  street.  There  was 
also  a  fort  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Washington  and  Grand  streets 
and  some  block  houses  north  of  the  main  works. 

Early  in  the  evening  of   August  18,  1779,  Major  Lee  left  New 
Bridge  or  Hackensack,  where  he  had  been  stationed.     His  force  num- 
bered about  450  men  when  he  started,  but  owing  to 
Capture  of  some  misunderstanding  of  orders,  his  troops  became 

Paulus  Hook  separated  and  only  150  men  were  with  him  when  he 
reached  Paulus  Hook.  The  intention  was  to  attack 
the  forts  about  midnight,  but  owing  to  the  difficult  road  he  did  not 
reach  the  ditch  which  separated  Paulus  Hook  from  the  mainland  until 
three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  troops  had  to  wade  through  the 
swamp  and  ford  the  ditch  and  creek  with  the  water  sometimes  up  to 
their  necks.     This  of  course  rendered  their  ammunition  and  firearms 

25 


useless,  and  they  were  compelled  to  attack  with  bayonets.  Fortunately 
they  were  mistaken  for  a  foraging  party  which  the  British  had  sent 
out,  and  they  gained  the  fort  before  the  garrison  was  fully  awakened. 
The  British  commander  with  a  few  soldiers  retreated  to  a  small  block- 
house near  the  fort  and  opened  fire  on  the  Americans.  Lee  had  no 
time  to  dislodge  them,  or  to  carry  off  or  destroy  any  property.  Day- 
light was  approaching  and  the  noise  of  the  firing  had  aroused  the 
enemy  across  the  river,  who  could  in  a  few  minutes  send  over  a  force 
of  troops  which  would  overwhelm  the  small  body  of  patriots.  He 
therefore  made  a  hasty  retreat  taking  with  him  159  prisoners.  Hie 
own  loss  was  two  killed  and  three  wounded. 

Lee  intended  to  retreat  to  Dow's  ferry  at  the  foot  of  St.  Paul's 
avenue,  where  it  was  arranged  to  have  boats  ready  to  take  his  troops 
across  the  Hackensack  River.  When  he  reached  there  he  found  the 
boats  had  been  removed;  the  delay  having  led  those  in  charge  to  be- 
lieve that  the  attempt  had  been  postponed.  Lee  was  therefore  com- 
pelled to  change  his  route  and  retreat  through  Summit  avenue  toward 
Fort  Lee  and  thence  to  Englewood.  This  was  extremely  dangerous  as 
he  was  liable  to  be  intercepted  by  the  superior  forces  of  the  enemy. 
However,  he  succeeded  in  getting  through  in  safety  and  reached 
Hackensack  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

The  capture  of  Paulus  Hook  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and 
daring  exploits  of  the  war,  and  aroused  the  greatest  enthusiasm  among 
the  Americans.  Congress  passed  resolutions  of  approval  and  pre- 
sented Major  Lee  with  a  gold  medal,  a  distinction  which  no  other  officer 
below  the  rank  of  general  received  during  the  Revolution.  Congress 
also  appropriated  $15,000.00  to  be  distributed  among  the  soldiers  who 
took  part  in  the  action.  A  monument  has  been  erected  at  the  inter- 
section of  Washington  and  Grand  streets  to  commemorate  the  battle 

Paulus  Hook  remained  in  the  possession  of  the  British  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  About  the  first  of  September,  1782,  Fort  Delancey 
at  Bergen  Neck  was  abandoned.  On  November  22,  1783,  the  British 
retired  from  Paulus  Hook  and  on  the  25th,  New  York  City  was  evacua- 
ted. The  war  was  now  ended,  and  a  few  days  later  Washington  passed 
through  Paulus  Hook  on  his  way  to  Mount  Vernon. 

V.   Jersey  City 

The  section  known  as  Paulus  Hook  had  been  settled  as  early  as 
1633,  but  up  to  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  it  had  made  scarcely 
any  progress.  In  1638  the  West  India  Company  sold  Paulus  Hook  to 
Abraham  Planck,  and  it  remained  in  the  Planck  family  until  August 
2,  1699,  when  it  was  bought  by  Cornells  Van  Vorst  for  £300.  From 
that  time  until  1804  the  greater  part  of  it  was  used  as  farm  land. 

In  1764  the  ferry  between  Paulus  Hook  and  New  York  was 
established,  and  a  low  frame  house  was  erected  near  what  is  now  the 

26 


comer  of  Grand  and  Hudson  streets.  This  was  used  as  a  ferry  house 
and  tavern.  About  1801  a  small  shanty  was  built  near  the  ferry  and 
used  as  a  restaurant  and  oyster  house.  In  1802  these  two  houses, 
some  barns  and  stables,  and  a  storehouse  were  the  only  buildings  on 
Paulus  Hook.  The  only  inhabitants  were  Major  Hunt,  who  kept  the 
tavern,  and  his  family ;  John  Murphy  and  his  wife,  and  Joseph 
Bryant,  making  a  total  population  of  thirteen. 

Paulus  Hook  at  this  time  consisted  of  a  number  of  sand  hills, 
around  which  a  race  track  had  been  built  by  Cornells  Van  Vorst  in 
1769.  The  track  was  a  mile  long  and  horse  races  were  run  on  it 
until  1804. 

The  beginning  of  Jersey  City  as  a  city  may  by  said  to  date 
from  1804.  On  March  26th  of  that  year  Anthony  Dey  of  New  York 
purchased  Paulus  Hook  from  the  Van  Vorst  family  for  an  annual 
payment  of  six  thousand  "Spanish  milled  dollars," 
Founoingf  of  which  was  secured  by  an  irredeemable  mortgage. 
Jersey  City  On  the  18th  of  April,  Dey  conveyed  the  property  to 

Abraham  Varick,  and  on  April  20th  it  was  trans- 
ferred to  Richard  Varick,  Jacob  Radcliff  and  Anthony  Dey.  These 
three  men,  who  were  prominent  New  York  lawyers,  were  the  founders 
of  Jersey  City.  They  divided  their  purchase  into  one  thousand  shares 
and  with  a  number  of  other  persons  formed  a  company  and  adver- 
tised a  sale  of  lots.  The  property  was  mapped  out  by  Joseph  W. 
Mangin,  a  New  York  surveyor.  This  map  is  dated  April  15,  1804, 
and  is  entitled  "A  map  of  that  part  of  the  Town  of  Jersey  commonly 
called  Powles  Hook."  The  streets  were  laid  at  right  angles.  The 
eastern  boundary  was  Hudson  street,  which  was  shown  to  be 
under  water  except  near  the  foot  of  Morris  street.  The  northern 
boundary  was  Harsimus  (now  First)  street,  and  the  southern  bound- 
ary was  South  street,  afterward  called  Mason  street.  The  western 
boundary  was  a  line  drawn  from  South  street  to  a  point  near  the 
corner  of  First  and  Washington  streets.  More  than  half  of  the  land 
was  marsh  and  land  under  water.  On  the  map  the  property  was 
divided  into  1,344  lots. 

On  November  10,  1804,  the  New  Jersey  Legislature  passed  an 
act  incorporating  the  "Associates  of  the  Jersey  Company,"  and  all 
those  persons  having  an  interest  in  the  ownership  of  Paulus  Hook 
were  constituted  a  corporate  body  under  that  title.  The  act  was 
drawn  by  Alexander  Hamilton  and  conferred  extensive  and  varied 
rights  and  powers. 

The  sale  of  lots  which  had  been  advertised  met  with  little  suc- 
cess, and  though  many  inducements  were  offered  to  attract  buyers, 
the  city  made  but  little  progress.     There  were  sev- 
SIow  Growth      eral  reasons  for  this.    New  York  claimed  ownership 
of  the  City  ^^id  control  over  all  lands  under  the  water  of  the 

Hudson  up  to  the  Jersey  shore.  This  claim  inter- 
fered with  the  improvement  of  the  most  valuable  part  of  the  city. 

27 


The  dispute  regarding  the  boundary  line  was  substantially  remedied 
by  an  agreement  between  the  two  cities  in  1834,  though  it  was  not 
finally  settled  until  1889.  All  the  land  in  the  new  city  was  subject 
to  a  mortgage,  so  that  no  lots  could  be  sold  free  and  clear.  Very  few 
would  buy  lots  on  these  conditions,  and  those  who  did  were  not  will- 
ing to  improve  their  property.  This  trouble  was  overcome  in  1824, 
when  Colonel  Varick  purchased  the  Van  Vorst  mortgage,  and  it  was 
arranged  to  sell  the  lots  free  from  encumbrance. 

In  addition  to  these  obstacles  there  were  clauses  in  the  charter 
of  the  Associates  which  gave  them  certain  powers  of  government 
and  control,  which  the  inhabitants  and  lot  owners  could  not  alter  or 
remove.  The  inhabitants  were  thus  compelled  to  submit  to  laws 
which  they  had  no  voice  in  making. 

The  Associates  being  unsuccessful  in  their  efforts  to  govern 
the  town,  the  New  Jersey  Legislature  granted  several  new  charters 
increasing   the  powers  of  the  municipality.     In  1820   the  city  was 

incorporated  under  the  title  "City  of  Jersey  in  the 
Charter  of  J 820  County  of  Bergen,"  though  in  the  text  of  the  act 

it  was  called  Jersey  City.  Under  this  law  the 
inhabitants  were  empowered  to  elect  annually  five  freeholders  to 
conduct  the  affairs  of  the  town,  who  were  to  be  known  as  "The 
Board  of  Selectmen  of  Jersey  City."  This  body  was  given  consid- 
erable powers  in  the  government  of  the  city,  but  there  was  a  number 
of  restrictions  in  the  exercise  of  these  powers  which  made  them  of 
slight  value,  and  the  government  under  the  Selectmen  was  little 
more  satisfactory  than  before. 

To  remedy  the  defects  of  this  government  a  new  and  more 
liberal  charter  was  obtained  in  1829.     The  governing  body  under  this 

act  was  called  "The  Board  of  Selectmen  and  Inhab- 
Charter  of  J829  itants  of   Jersey    City."     While    this    body  had 

greater  powers  than  its  predecessor  it  was  soon 
found  that  they  were  not  sufficient  for  the  proper  management  of 
the  town. 

On  February  22,  1838,  a  new  charter  was  granted  and  the 
city,  which  up  to  this  time  had  been  part  of  the  township  of  Bergen, 

became  a  separate  municipality.  The  governing 
Charter  of  1838  Pow^^"  was  vested   in  "The  Mayor  and   Common 

Council  of  Jersey  City,"  and  they  were  entrusted 
with  sufficient  powers  to  enable  them  to  control  the  destinies  of  the 
city.  Under  this  act  Dudley  S.  Gregory  was  elected  the  first  Mayor 
of  Jersey  City.  Mr.  Gregory  was  one  of  the  city's  most  public- 
spirited  men,  and  much  of  Jersey  City's  early  development  was  due 
to  his  labors. 

In  March,  1839,  the  western  boundary  of  the  city  was  extended 
to  the  centre  of  Grove  street. 

28 


Q 


On  February  22,  1840,  the  County  of  Hudson,  which  had  up  to 
that  time  been  a  part  of  Bergen  County,  was  incorporated  as  a 
separate  county.  It  comprised  Jersey  City  and  the 
Hudson  County  townships  of  Bergen  and  Harrison.  East  of  the 
Incorporated  Hackensack  its  boundaries  were  the  same  as  those 
of  the  old  township  of  Bergen.  West  of  the  Hack- 
ensack it  included  the  present  townships  of  Harrison  and  Kearney, 
and  also  the  township  of  Union,  in  Bergen  County.  Union  township 
was  at  that  time  included  in  Harrison,  but  in  1852  it  was  set  off  into 
Bergen  County. 

On  March  18, 1851,  the  township  of  Van  Vorst  was  added  to  Jer- 
sey City  and  a  new  charter  was  granted.  Van  Vorst  township  included 
the  greater  part  of  what  was  originally  known  as  Ahasimus  and  was 

named  in  honor  of  the  Van  Vorst  family,  who  had 
Van  Vorst  settled  there  in  1636.     It  comprised  what  was  called 

Township  the  "Duke's  Farm,"  the  Van  Vorst  patent,  and  a 

few  other  small  grants  of  land.  For  many  years 
there  had  been  bitter  disputes  as  to  the  ownership  of  the  Duke's  Farm, 
but  in  1804  John  B.  Coles  of  New  York  bought  the  interests  of  the 
rival  claimants.  His  purchase  included  a  large  part  of  the  land 
north  of  Newark  avenue,  which  he  laid  out  in  lots  and  advertised  for 
sale.  Van  Vorst  was  part  of  the  township  of  Bergen  until  1841, 
when  it  was  formed  into  a  separate  town. 

The  growth  of  Jersey  City  during  the  early  years  of  its  history 
was  very  slow.  There  were,  however  many  indications  of  the  im- 
portance which  it  has  since  attained.  Its  great 
Growth  of  natural  advantages  and  its  convenient  location  for 

Jersey  City  commercial  and  industrial  purposes  were  early  rec- 

ognized and  attracted  many  business  enterprises. 

In  1804  Robert  Fulton  obtained  a  block  of  land  in  Jersey  City 
and  soon  after  established  his  shipyards  at  Greene  and  Morgan  streets. 
These  works  were  managed  by  Fulton  until  his  death  in  1815  and  it 
was  here  that  much  of  the  machinery  for  his  early  steamboats  was 
made.  In  1812  steam  ferry  boats  designed  by  Fulton  were  put  in 
operation  on  the  ferry  between  Jersey  City  and  New  York. 

One  of  the  earliest  commercial  enterprises  in  Jersey  City  was 
the  milling  business  estabhshed  by  Isaac  Edge  in  1815.  The  windmill 
was  located  about  seventy-five  feet  north  of  Montgomery  street,  and 
fifty  feet  east  of  Greene  street,  where  the  western  portion  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Station  is  now  situated.  For  many  years  the 
Edge  windmill  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  landmarks  on  the  Jer- 
sey shore.  It  was  taken  down  in  1839  to  make  room  for  the  tracks  of 
the  New  Jersey  Railroad. 

In  1824  Dummer's  glass  works  were  established  on  the  spot  now 
occupied  by  the  Sugar  house.  The  following  year  the  "Jersey  Porce- 
lain and  Earthenware  Company,"  afterward  known  as  the  "Jersey 

28 


City  Pottery,"  was  established.  It  was  located  at  Warren  and  Essex 
streets.  This  was  for  a  long  time  one  of  the  most  important  potteries 
in  the  United  States,  and  many  of  the  best  potters  learned  their  trade 
here.  The  business  continued  until  1892,  when  the  property  was  sold 
and  the  old  buildings  destroyed. 

Jersey  City's  prominence  as  a  railroad  centre  began  in  1834 
when  the  New  Jersey  Railroad  was  opened  from  Jersey  City  to  New- 
ark. For  some  time  the  cars  were  drawn  by  horses,  the  first  engine 
being  put  in  operation  in  1835.  Other  railroads  were  soon  built  and 
obtained  terminal  facilities  here,  and  in  a  few  years  Jersey  City  be- 
came one  of  the  most  important  railroad  centres  in  the  country. 

The  first  street  railway  was  opened  July  4,  1860.  The  cars  were 
drawn  by  horses  and  ran  from  the  Jersey  City  ferry  to  the  Bergen 
Hill.  Previous  to  that  time  the  usual  mode  of  travel  was  by  private 
conveyance,  or  by  stages,  a  number  of  which  left  the  ferry  for  vari- 
ous places. 

The  Morris  Canal  was  opened  from  the  Delaware  River  to  the 
Passaic  River  in  1831,  and  in  1836  it  was  extended  into  Jersey  City. 

About  1847  the  Cunard  Steamship  line  built  its  docks  in  Jersey 
City,  and  some  time  after  the  White  Star  line  established  its  termi- 
nal here.  For  many  years  the  ships  of  these  lines  sailed  from  Jersey 
City,  but  they  have  since  moved  to  New  York  City. 

The  construction  of  works  for  a  water  supply  from  the  Passaic 
River  was  begun  in  1852,  and  two  years  later  the  works  were  com- 
pleted and  the  water  distributed  through  the  city.  Previous  to  that 
time  the  only  supply  was  from  wells,  and  as  this  water  was  of  a  very 
poor  quality,  large  quantities  of  water  were  carted  from  the  hill  and 
sold  by  the  pail  to  the  residents  of  Jersey  City. 

When  the  Civil  War  broke  out  in  1861  Jersey  City  contained  a 
little  over29,00U  inhabitants,  or  including  the  towns  of  Bergen,  Green- 
ville and  Hudson  City,  which  are  now  a  part  of  the  city,  the  total 
population  numbered  43,884.  When  President  Lin- 
Jersey  City  in  coin  issued  the  call  for  troops  on  April  15,  1861, 
the  Civil  War  it  was  responded  to  in  this  locality  with  loyalty  and 
enthusiasm,  and  throughout  the  war  Jersey  City 
was  well  represented  at  the  front,  both  in  numbers  and  in  patriotism. 
According  to  the  State  records  the  volunteers  from  this  city  num- 
bered about  one  in  every  eight  of  the  population,  but  this  does  not 
represent  the  total,  for  many  men  enlisted  in  regiments  from  other 
states  which  were  of  course  not  included  in  the  roster  of  New  Jersey 
troops.  Taking  this  into  consideration,  it  is  estimated  that  the  total 
enlistment  from  Jersey  City  was  nearly  one  in  every  five  of  the 
population. 

In  1870  Bergen  and  Hudson  City  were  consolidated  with  Jersey 
City.  Hudson  City  was  originally  a  part  of  Bergen  and  up  to  the 
time  of  the   Revolution,   consisted    of  dense  forests  known  as  the 

30 


"Bergen  Woods."     It  had  been  formed  into  a  separate  municipality 
in  1852  under  the  name  of   "The  Town  of  Hudson 
Hudson  City        jn  the  County  of  Hudson."     On  April  11,  1855,  it 
and  Dergfen  was  incorporated   as   the   "City  of  Hudson"  with 

Consolidated  a  separate  government  vested  in  a  Mayor  and  Com- 
with  Jersey  City  mon  Council.  Hudson  City  included  the  territory 
situated  on  the  hill  and  bounded  on  the  west  by  the 
Hackensaek  River,  on  the  north  by  the  Paterson  plankroad  and 
on  the  south  by  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad. 

Bergen,  which  originally  included  nearly  all  of  the  present 
Hudson  County,  had  by  the  erection  of  cities  and  townships  from 
its  territory,  been  greatly  reduced  in  size.  In  1855  it  was  incorpor- 
ated as  the  "Town  of  Bergen,"  with  a  governing  body  composed  of 
five  Councilmen.  On  March  11,  1868,  it  was  chartered  as  "The  City 
of  Bergen"  and  included  the  land  bounded  by  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road on  the  north,  Mill  Creek  and  New  York  Bay  on  the  east,  Green- 
ville on  the  south,  and  the  Hackensaek  River  on  the  west.  Under 
this  act  the  town  was  divided  into  four  wards  and  the  government 
vested  in  a  body  known  as  "The  Mayor  and  Board  of  Aldermen  of 
the  City  of  Bergen." 

In  1873  the  township  of  Greenville  was  annexed  to  Jex'sey  City. 
Greenville  included  the  territory  between  Bergen 
Greenville  Added  and  Bayonne,  and  New  York  Bay  and  the  Hack- 
to  Jersey  City         ensack  River  and  Newark  Bay.     This  secton  had 
been  set  off  from  Bergen  and  incorporated  as  a 
separate  township  in  1863. 

With  the  addition  of  Greenville,  Jersey  City  attained  its  pres- 
ent limits.  It  now  includes  all  of  the  old  township  of  Bergen,  with 
the  exception  of  the  cities  of  Bayonne  and  Hoboken,  and  the  section 
lying  north  of  the  city  up  to  the  Bergen  County  line. 

Bayonne  comprises  all  that  part  of  old  Bergen  lying  south  of 
the  Morris  Canal.  It  was  set  off  as  a  separate  township  in  1861  and 
incorporated  as  a  city  in  1869. 

Hoboken  was  first  settled  about  1639,  and  for  several  years  was 
cultivated  as  a  farm  under  leases  from  the  Governor  of  New  Nether- 
land.     Some  years  later  a  grant  of  the  land  was  made  to  Nicholas  Var- 
lett.     In  1711  it  was  purchased  by  the  Bayard  fam- 
Hoboken  i^y>  who  used  it  for  a  summer  residence.     William 

Bayard,  who  owned  the  estate  during  the  Revolu- 
tion, was  a  staunch  loyalist,  and  when  the  war  was  over  the  Amer- 
icans confiscated  the  property.  In  1784  the  territory  was  sold 
to  Colonel  John  Stevens,  who  was  the  founder  of  the  present  city  of 
Hoboken.  In  1804  he  had  the  land  laid  out  and  mapped,  and  adver- 
tised a  sale  of  lots.  The  Hoboken  Land  and  Improvement  Company 
was  organized  in  1838,  and  the  following  year  purchased  the  property 
which  remained  unsold.  Hoboken  was  set  off  as  a  separate  township 
in  1849,  and  was  incorporated  as  a  city  on  March  28,  1855. 

31 


That  part  of  Hudson  County  lying  north  of  Jersey  City  com- 
prises the  townships  of  North  Bergen  and  Weehawken;  the  towns  of 
Guttenberg,  Union,  West  Hoboken  and  West  New  York,  and  the  Bo- 
rough of  Secaucus.  These  were  all  formerly  included  in  the  old  town- 
ship of  Bergen,  and  were  at  various  times  set  off  and  organized  as 
separate  municipalities. 

The  section  west  of  the  Hackensack  River  was  in  former  times 
the  township  of  Harrison,  and  was  included  in  Hudson  County  when 
that  county  was  established  in  1840.  This  locality  has  since  been  di- 
vided into  several  separate  municipalities  and  now  embraces  the  towns 
of  Harrison  and  Kearney  and  the  Borough  of  East  Newark. 

Beside  the  places  already  mentioned  certain  localities  in  Hud- 
son County  have  been  known  by  various  names  at  different  times  in 
their  history.  Most  of  these  names,  however,  were  merely  popular  or 
local  designations,  and  the  places  bearing  them  had  no  separate  exist- 
ence or  government.  Thus  that  part  of  Jersey  City  which  lay  south 
of  the  Morris  Canal,  near  Communipaw  and  Pacific  avenues,  was 
known  for  many  years  as  Lafayette,  which  was  the  name  given  to  it 
by  a  company  that  mapped  out  the  land  and  advertised  the  sale  of 
lots  about  1856.  It  was  never  a  separate  municipality.  Claremont 
was  the  name  similarly  given  to  a  tract  of  land  on  the  hill  near  the 
Newark  and  New  York  Railroad.  Among  other  names  may  be  men- 
tioned Centerville  and  Pamrapo  which  were  small  villages  in  what  is 
now  Bayonne;  and  Washington  village  in  Hudson  City. 

After  the  consolidation  with  Bergen,  Jersey  City  grew  rapidly, 
and  what  not  many  years  ago  consisted  of  a  few  small  hamlets  and 
farms  surrounded  by  dense  woods  and  swamps  has  now  become  one  of 
the  most  important  cities  in  the  country.  This  remarkable  growth  was 
accompanied  by  many  important  changes  and  many  events  of  great  in- 
terest, but  there  is  no  space  to  record  them  in  the  present  publication. 

In  educational  matters,  Jersey  City  has  always  been  prominent. 
The  first  school  in  lower  Jersey  City  was  established  about  1806.  In 
that  year  the  Jersey  Associates  made  a  grant  of  land  on  York  street, 
between  Washington  and  Warren  streets,  extending  through  to  Grand 
street  and  from  Grand  street  through  to  Sussex  street,  to  be  used  for 
school  and  church  purposes.  About  1807  a  building  was  erected  on 
this  land  at  Sussex  street,  which  was  used  as  a  school  and  also  for  re- 
ligious services.  The  school  was  known  as  the  "Mechanic's  Insti- 
tute" and  was  supported  by  private  subscriptions.  Some  time  after 
another  school  called  the  "Columbian  Public 
Early  Schools  m  School"  was  started.  For  some  yeai's  these  schools 
Jersey  City  received  a  partial  support  from  the  public  funds, 

but  in  1834  they  failed  for  lack  of  money.  Soon 
after  this  the  Board  of  Selectmen  took  charge  of  the  school  building 
and  about  1838  it  was  removed  to  the  rear  of  the  lots  on  which  it  stood 
and  was  repaired  and  used  as  a  public  school,  jail  and  Town  Hall.  This 
building  was  used  for   school  purposes  for  about  ten  years,  when  it 

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was  sold  and  the  proceeds  used  in  the  purchase  of  the  plot  of  ground 
®n  York  street  on  whieh  Pnblic  School  No.  1  was  erected.  The  new 
school  was  opened  on  February  9,  1848.  Dr.  Albert  T.  Smith  was 
principal  and  George  H.  Linsley  assistant.  In  September,  1851,  Mr. 
Linsley  was  appointed  principal,  which  position  he  held  for  over  fifty 
years,  resigning  in  1905. 

One  of  the  pioneer  schools  in  this  city  was  the  Lyceum  School 
on  Grand  street,  founded  in  1839  by  William  L.  Dickinson.  This  was 
a  classical  academy  for  boys  and  was  a  prominent  institution  for  many 
years.  William  L.  Dickinson  afterwards  became  Superintendent  of 
Schools,  which  office  he  held  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  an  edu- 
cator of  marked  ability  and  was  instrumental  in  laying  the  foundation 
of  our  present  admirable  public  school  system. 

Among  the  higher  institutions  of  learning  should  be  mentioned 
Hasbrouck's  Institute  founded  in  1856  by  Dr.  Washington  Hasbrouck; 
and  St.  Peter's  College  founded  in  1878  and  conducted  by  the  Society 
of  Jesus.  These  institutions  are  still  flourishing  and  have  always 
been  important  factors  in  the  educational  life  of  the  city. 

The  Jersey  City  High  School  was  organized  in  1872  and  occupied 
the  upper  floors  of  Public  School  No.  5  on  Bay  street  until  1906  when 
the  present  handsome  building  was  completed. 

There  is  no  room  to  speak  of  the  many  other  schools  which  have 
been  erected  in  the  past  few  years.  The  educational  growth  of  the 
city  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  there  are  now  thirty-five  public  schools, 
most  of  which  are  new  buildings  and  include  some  of  the  finest  and 
best]  equipped  schools  in  the  state.  In  the  public  school  system  of 
Jersey  City  there  are  nearly  35,000  pupils  and  a  teaching  force  num- 
bering over  eight  hundred.  In  addition,  there  are  more  than  twenty- 
five  private  and  parochial  schools  and  a  number  of  business  colleges. 

Though  the  great  educational  value  of  a  public  library  was  gen- 
erally recognized,  no  attempt  was  made  to  establish  a  free  library 
until  a  comparatively  recent  date.  In  1866  the  Beigen  Library  Asso- 
ciation was  formed.  This  was  supported  by  subscription  and  about 
1,000  volumes  were  gotten  together,  but  after  a  short  time  the  inter- 
est died  out  and  the  books  were  sold.  In  1873  the  Board  of  Education 
established  a  free  library  with  an  appropriation  of  $1,000.00  per  year. 
This  was  continued  for  about  ten  years  and  about  5,000  volumes  were 
collected.  The  library  was  kept  in  the  High  School  and  was  open  on 
Saturdays  only.  It  was  little  used,  except  by  the  teachers  and  pupils 
of  the  High  School. 

In  1884  the  New  Jersey  Legislature  passed  an  act  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  free  public  libraries.     Under  this  law  the    Free  Public 

Library  of  Jersey  City  was  founded  in  1889,  largely 
The  Public  through  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Leonard  J.  Gordon.    The 

Library  Library  was  opened  to  the  public  on  July  6,  1891, 

in  temporary  quarters  on  the  corner  of  Washington 
and  York   streets,  with  a  collection  numbering  15,000  volumes.     In 

83 


1900  the  erection  of  the  present  handsome  building  on  Jersey  avenue 
was  begun  and  on  January  16,  1901,  it  was  completed  and  opened 
to  the  public.  The  Public  Library  has  grown  steadily  and  rapidly 
ever  since  its  foundation.  It  now  contains  120,881  volumes,  main- 
tains three  branches  and  twenty  delivery  stations  and  the  reports 
for  the  year  just  closed  show  a  total  use  of  books  amounting  to 
754,745,  and  a  total  attendance  in  the  various  rooms  and  branches 
of  137,581. 

This  brief  allusion  to  the  educational  progress  of  Jersey  City 
brings  the  story  of  the  city's  growth  to  a  fitting  conclusion.  The 
educational  facilities  of  a  city  are  the  surest  index  to  its  condition 
and  standing,  and  Jersey  City  may  well  be  proud  of  its  library  and 
schools,  which  in  point  of  excellence  and  efficiency  are  second  to  none. 
The  rise  of  these  splendid  institutions  of  learning  from  the  little  log 
schoolhouse  at  Bergen  is  typical  of  the  progress  Jersey  City  has 
made,  and  is  still  making  in  other  fields,  and  gives  promise  of  the 
still  greater  importance  the  city  will  attain  in  the  near  future. 


84 


INDEIX 


Ahasimds.  9,  19,  20,  29. 

Aressick,  9,  10. 

Associates  of  the  Jersey  Company,  27,  28. 

Bayonne,  12,  31. 

Bergen,  19,  20;  founding  of,  13;  first  set- 
tlers, 13;  name,  13;  description  of,  13, 
14;  first  court,  14;  first  school,  15;  sec- 
ond school,  15;  captured  by  English, 
17.  18;  recaptured  by  the  Dutch,  18; 
consolidated  with  Jersey  City,  30. 

Bergen,  City  of,  31. 

Bergen  Library  Association,  33. 

Bergen  Square,  14. 

Boundary  dispute,  27. 

Buyten  Tuyn,  14. 

Cabot,  John  and  Sebastian,  7. 

Carteret,  Philip,  17. 

Cemeteries,  23. 

Centerville,  32. 

Charters,  Carteret's.  17;  Queen  Anne's,  18; 

of  Jersey  City,  28. 
Children,  21.  22. 
Churches  in  Bergen,  16. 
Civil  War,  30. 
Claremont,  32. 
Coles,  J.  B..  29. 
Columbia  Academy,  15. 
"Common  Lands,"  18. 
Communipaw,  10,  17,  19,  20. 
Constable  Hook,  11. 
Cortelyou,  Jacques,  14,  17. 
Court,  first  at  Bergen,  14. 

Delancey,  Fort,  24,  26. 
Dickinson.  W.  L.,  33. 
Dey,  Anthony,  27. 
Dress.  22. 

*'Duke's  Farm,"  29. 
Dummer's  Glass  Works,  29. 
Dutch  West  India  Company,  8. 

Edge  Windmill.  29. 

Ferries,  24,  29. 

Field  book  and  map  of  Bergen,  18. 
Free  Public  Library,  33. 
Fulton's  shipyards,  29. 
Funerals,  22. 


Gomez,  Estevan.  8. 
Government,  first  local,  14. 
Gordon,  L.  J.,  33. 
Glass  works,  29. 
Greenville,  11,  31. 
Gregory,  D.  S.,  28. 

Hasbrouck  Institute,  33. 

High  School,  33. 

Hoboken,  9,  19,  20,  31;  first  settlement,  11. 

Holidays,  21. 

Houses,  first  in  Hudson  County,  10;  first  in 
Hoboken,  11;  of  first  settlers,  20.        • 

Hudson,  Henry,  8. 

Hudson  City,  30,  31. 

Hudson  County,  incorporated,  29;  first  set- 
tlement, 10;  first  houses  in,  10;  repur- 
chased, 12. 

Indians,  7;  first  war  with,  11;  second  war 
with,  12. 

Jan  de  Lacher's  Hook,  19. 

Jansen,  Michael,  15. 

Jersey  City,  founding  of,  27;  first  map  of, 
27;  obstacles  to'growth,  27,28;  charters, 
28;  extended  to  Grove  street,  28;  first 
mayor,  28;  growth  of,  29;  Van  Vorst 
added  to,  29;  Bergen  and  Hudson  City 
added,  30;  Greenville  added,  31;  schools 
in,  32,  33;  libraries  in,  33. 

Jersey  City  Pottery.  29. 

KiEFT,  William,  11. 

Lafayette,  32. 
Language  of  the  people,  21. 
Lee,  Henry,  25,  26. 
Libraries,  33. 
Linsley,  G.  H.,  33. 
Lyceum  School,  33. 

Manhattan  Island,  purchase  of.  8. 

Mangin  map,  27. 

Mill  Creek,  20. 

Minister,  first,  16. 

Minkakwa,  12. 

Minuit,  Peter,  8. 

Morris  Canal.  30. 


INDEX 


Pamrapo,  32. 

Patroons,  9. 

Paulus  Hook,  9,  10, 19;  first  settlement  at, 

10,  26. 
Paulus  Hook  Forts,  24,  25;  captured  by  the 

British,  24;  captured  by  the  Americans, 

25. 
Pauw,  Michael,  buys  Pavonia,  9;  sells  Pa" 

vonia,  10. 
Pavonia,  9,  10. 

Population  of  early  settlements,  20. 
Pottery,  Jersey  City,  29. 
Prior's  Mill,  20. 

Radcliff,  Jacob,  27. 
Railroads,  30. 
Revolution,  24. 
Roads,  23. 

St.  Peter's  College,  33. 
Schools,  in  Jersey  City,  32,  33;  in  Bergen, 
15. 16,  21. 


Shore  front  of  Hudson  County,  20. 
Slavery,  23. 
Stage  lines,  23. 
Steamship  lines,  30. 
Street  railways,  30. 
Steenhuysen,  Engelbert,  15. 
Stevens,  John,  31. 
Stuyvesant,  Peter,  12,  13. 

Travel,  23. 

Van  Vorst,  township,  29. 
Varick,  Richard,  27. 
Verrazano,  7. 
"Voorleezer,"  15,  21. 

Wampum,  21. 
Washington  village,  32. 
Water  works,  30. 
Weddings,  22. 
Weehawken,  12. 
Well  at  Bergen  Square,  14. 


Y^  O^  TOW^  OF  E)EK5E]N[ 


BERGEN    OF  TO-DAY 
Prepared  by  Mr.  John  W.  Heck.     Used  here  through  the  courtesy  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Hudson  County. 


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